Meat+Poultry - December 2020 - 10

BUSINESS NOTES

McPlant signals new roots
for plant-based market
People notice when McDonald's Corp.
announces menu changes. The world's
fast-food chain's Nov. 9 announcement that
it would be testing a plant-based burger
option in some global markets in 2021 and
that the burger would be just the beginning
of a menu platform called McPlant sent
ripples throughout the marketplace.
" We have created a delicious burger
that will be the first menu option in a plantbased platform we are calling McPlant, "
said Ian Frederick Borden, president of
international for McDonald's, during the
company's annual Investor Day. " McPlant
is crafted exclusively for McDonald's,
by McDonald's. In the future, McPlant
could extend across a line of plant-based
products, including burgers, chicken

substitutes and breakfast sandwiches.
And we expect some markets will test the
burger next year. We are excited about the
opportunity because we believe we have a
proven, delicious-tasting product. "
Christopher J. Kempczinski, president
and chief executive officer, said McPlant
will be a global core menu option
franchisees may access if there is a
customer demand opportunity.
" There's a lot of flexibility there at
the market level because we know that
different markets are going to be at
different stages around the development of
plant based, " he said.

Giannone Poultry to close
Drummondville plant

10

MEAT+ POULTRY | 12.20 | www.meatpoultry.com

Volpi Foods takes
'small bites' into
single-serve products
Volpi Foods recently launched a new
product line called Small Bites, singleserve packages with 1.5-oz portions of
the brand's sliced artisan-made, dry-cured
meats. The company said the singleserve portion reduces potential waste,
and empowers consumers to effectively
create a charcuterie board for one or to
use as toppers for salads and pizza, omelet
enhancers, picnic packs and much more.
Volpi opted for the 1.5-oz size over
the 4-oz portion to encourage trial of new
products without the barriers of cost and
uncertainty of purchasing a larger quantity.
Small Bites will launch with Prosciutto,
Coppa, Sopressata and Spicy Sopressata.
" While we saw the need for smaller
portion options of our products before
the pandemic, the demand is even more
prevalent now, " said Deanna Depke,
marketing manager.

Capitalizing on growing
global demand for its
products, Tyson Foods
Inc. announced on Nov.
10, its plans to invest in
new processing facilities
and expand existing
plants in Thailand, China
and the Netherlands.
Referencing recent
overseas acquisitions and
joint ventures, the
company said its
international presence
has expanded to
include China, India,
Brazil, Thailand,
Malaysia, Australia, the
Netherlands and South
Korea, with international
sales totaling $5.4
billion in fiscal 2019.
Recent expansions in its
international facilities
added fully cooked
poultry capacity of more
than 100,000 tonnes as
the company prepared
for meeting demand in
emerging markets.  
Expansions
at facilities in the
Netherlands and other
European locations are
expected to create more
than 150 jobs, while
a new plant in China
will employ about 700
people. The company's
new joint-venture with
GFPT Public Co. Limited
will include construction
of a new plant in
Thailand that will create
more than 1,000 jobs.

For more news,
visit MEATPOULTRY.com

Volpi Foods

Giannone Poultry management has
announced the definitive closure
of its poultry processing plant in
Drummondville, Quebec. Giannone
acquired the plant from Maple Leaf Foods
Inc. in July. The company informed 70
employees affected by the closure at a
meeting on Oct. 30, as well as by personal
letter. The closure was set for Nov. 6.
The Quebec Labour Standards Act
requires each employee affected receive
severance pay. Giannone Poultry will also
set up a reassignment committee to offer
jobs at its Saint-Cuthbert plant and to
assist employees in their job search.
" The management of Giannone Poultry
concluded that the investments required
to modernize, renovate the infrastructure
and update the equipment of this plant
would be too large to ensure its long-term
viability, " said Bruno Giannone, vice
president and chief executive officer of
Giannone Poultry. " We will do everything in
our power to provide the necessary support
to employees affected by this decision. "

Tyson expands
its global
footprint
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Meat+Poultry - December 2020

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